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What better place to pursue Central European Studies than Warsaw? It’s where composer Frédéric Chopin spent his childhood, pianist Arthur Rubinstein was trained, and chemist/physicist Marie Curie and Hollywood producer Samuel Goldwyn were born. From European economics and power struggles to Polish history and culture to the Polish language, you’ll explore it all with CIEE and have plenty of adventures, too. By the time you return home, you’ll know what being a Warsovian is all about.

Study abroad in Warsaw and you’ll:

Explore business, economics, and political science with Polish and other European students in English-taught classes, or if you have fluency, take courses taught in Polish

Live in a country that has made the most successful transformation from a state-controlled to a democratic market-based system in the region

Visit Gdansk and the Solidarity Museum; Kraków, Auschwitz, and the Holocaust Museum; and Lublin to see preserved artifacts of Polish Jews

Take advanced-level business courses

Examine Polish culture during activities and excursions, and get reimbursed through our Cultural Reimbursement Program

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships & Grants

We want as many students as possible to benefit from studying abroad. That’s why CIEE awards more than $3 million every year – more than any other international educational organization – to make study abroad affordable.

Applicants to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence

Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants

For students who demonstrate financial need, CIEE provides direct support for travel.

Awards: Up to $1,500 per student

To be considered, simply check the “Scholarships and Grants” box on your program application.Apply now

The CIEE Difference

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Enjoy a variety of specialized language and area studies courses including Polish History and Literature, Social Issues in Contemporary Poland, and Jews in Poland and the Holocaust. Interested in taking classes in business or economics? Direct enrollment options are available at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Excursions

Learning isn’t confined to the classroom with CIEE. During study tours and excursions, you might visit government institutions in Warsaw, travel to Gdansk to study the history of the Solidarity movement that led to the downfall of Communism in Poland, explore a Polish city such as Olsztyn or Lublin, visit the royal city of Kraków, delve into 1,000-year-old Wieliczka salt mines, or learn about World War II tragedies in the Auschwitz State Museum. You’ll also attend opera performances, classical music concerts, and a variety of other cultural events.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the button to view more detailed information about dates and fees as well as estimated additional costs. Please talk with your University Study Abroad Advisor about additional fees that may be charged by your home institution when participating in a program abroad.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2014 (16 wks)

Extended to: 05/15/2014

08/30/2014

12/19/2014

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Fall 2015 (16 wks)

Extended to: 05/15/2015

08/29/2015

12/18/2015

$16,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$15,117

Housing

$1,320

Insurance

$113

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$1,000

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$100

Books & Supplies

$100

Visa Fees **

$80

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$2,200

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** average cost

Fall 2016

04/01/2016

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Spring 2015 (15 wks)

Extended to: 12/01/2014

01/31/2015

05/15/2015

$16,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$15,117

Housing

$1,320

Insurance

$113

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$1,000

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$100

Books & Supplies

$100

Visa Fees **

$80

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$2,200

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** average cost

Spring 2016

11/01/2015

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Academic year 2014-2015 (37 wks)

Extended to: 05/15/2014

08/30/2014

05/15/2015

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Academic year 2015-2016

Extended to: 05/15/2015

08/29/2015

TBA

$31,100

Program Date Notes

Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$28,047

Housing

$2,640

Insurance

$113

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$2,000

International Airfare *

$1,450

Local Transportation

$200

Books & Supplies

$200

Visa Fees **

$80

Potential travel to consulate for visa

$500

Personal expenses

$4,400

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** average cost

Eligibility

2.75 Overall GPA

Eligibility

Overall GPA 2.75

Recommended Credit

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit for the semester is 16 semester/24 quarter hours.

Program Requirements

All study abroad students take the required Polish language course at their level and four CIEE area studies courses taught in English, or an equivalent number of Warsaw School of Economics (Szkoła Główna Handlowa - SGH) courses.

For students at the advanced level of business studies, business courses in English are also available at SGH through the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS), the European network of business schools, or Erasmus Student’s Program network. Enrollment in these courses requires the prior approval of the student’s home university.

About the City

About The City

The capital city of Warsaw was built on hard work and self-reliance. Decimated during World War II, the grand city was painstakingly restored and brought back to life. There’s always something to do in Poland’s largest city – a major international tourist destination, with its richly detailed palaces, gardens, parks, and much more. A relatively young city by Polish standards, Warsaw was founded in the 14th century and became the nation’s capital in 1596. Warsaw is a bustling city at the center of Poland’s economic and cultural life, and a thriving Central European capital. Enjoy the many theaters, museums, cafés, and discos while studying abroad in the most rapidly growing city in Central Europe.

Meet The Staff

Meet The Staff

Bogdan Radomski

Resident Director

Bogdan A. Radomski, Ph.D., a native of Poland, received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in economics from the Warsaw School of Economics and currently also serves as an associate professor and senior lecturer of international finance there. Bogdan began as CIEE’s resident director in Warsaw in 1989 with the program’s inception. He strongly believes that personal contacts developed by living with people of different nationalities, cultures, and habits, help eliminate stereotypes and xenophobia, and thus, furthers better understanding in today’s world.

Read More

The CIEE Study Center in Poland opened in 1989, as the first CIEE program in Central Europe. Poland today is the most successful country in the Region in transforming its society, economy, laws, and public institutions from a Communist regime to a free market democracy. May 1, 2004 was a turning point in the history of Poland. On that date, Poland became a member of the European Union, and the dreams of millions of Solidarity members were fulfilled. Poland entered to European Union as the sixths biggest country in Europe and started to adjust its political, economic, institutional system to European Union standards. This process is also very successful in Poland because Poland is one of few countries in Europe which are not affected by current economic and financial crisis.

The CIEE Study Center in Warsaw offers a unique opportunity for ambitious students to study such processes in reality, rather than reading about them in books. or learn stereotype opinions from media. The country is truly a laboratory to study social, political, and economic changes. In fact, the transition from a totalitarian political system with a command economy to a democratic society with a market economy had never happened before anywhere in history. There have been both many achievements and failures since Solidarity defeated communism in Poland. It is indeed fascinating to observe ongoing processes of change in Poland, and the successful accession to the European Union provides yet another interesting case study Students who choose this program are coming to the right country and studying at the right institution if they want to learn about a rapidly changing country and region. Students will confront existing stereotypes about Poland and Central Europe and compare them with the day-to-day reality of life in the region. Studies on modern Poland are very nicely balances with studies on very old Polish history and culture and its interconnections with culture of the regional countries and the rest of Europe.

— Dr. Bogdan Radomski, Resident Director

“”

Malgorzata "Gosia" Nowicka

Program Assistant

Malgorzata (Gosia) Nowicka received her M.A. in American studies at Warsaw University. She studied abroad in Germany on a Socrates Erasmus Scholarship.

Read More

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Where You'll Study

Where You'll Study

Established in 1906, the Warsaw School of Economics (Szkoła Główna Handlowa - SGH) is the oldest and largest economics university in Poland, with 17,000 students. Located close to the city center, SGH offers programs in economics, management, statistics, computer science, demography, and public-sector economics. SGH has developed close contacts with over 200 higher education institutions from abroad, and its academic staff plays an active role in the private sector and state administration, as well as in numerous domestic and international organizations. The student dormitory is very close to the SGH campus.

Housing & Meals

Housing & Meals

Housing is included in the program fee. Study abroad students live together in double rooms in a Warsaw School of Economics dormitory, with shared bath and kitchen facilities. Polish and other international students live in the dormitory as well. The dormitory is located very close to the campus and city bus and tramway stops. The metro station is a short 10-minute walk from the dormitory. Meals are not included in the program fee and are the responsibility of the student. Meals may be prepared in the dormitory, or eaten at any of the various student cafeterias or restaurants and cafés in Warsaw.

Orientations

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Warsaw even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. The resident director meets with students online and shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple: to help you understand more about the program and identify your goals.

A mandatory, weeklong orientation conducted in Warsaw at the beginning of the program, introduces you to the country, culture, and academic program, and provides practical information about living in Warsaw. You'll benefit from ongoing orientation and cultural learning through their associations with CIEE Polish “Buddies,” local Warsaw School of Economics students recruited to assist with the program students. You will meet these buddies at the beginning of orientation. Ongoing support is provided by CIEE staff on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Internet

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. You will be able to access the Internet in your dorm room and in the school buildings. Upon arrival, you may establish an email account through the university network. Please note that you'll have limited access to computers at the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH). There also are numerous Internet cafés in Warsaw for your use.

Culture

Culture

Cultural Reimbursement

The CIEE Study Center in Warsaw offers a Cultural Reimbursement Program that may be used to explore Warsaw and other areas of Poland independently. As a means of encouraging you to take maximum advantage of your time in Warsaw and in Poland, you may be reimbursed for some of your tickets to theater, Polish films, opera, ballet, and other special local events.

Academics

Academics

Established in 1989, the study abroad program provides a broad-based academic program combined with an in-country cultural experience. The program offers students Polish language instruction and a series of specially designed courses in such fields as Central European politics, literature, history, and economics, as well as the option to enroll in Warsaw School of Economics (Szkoła Główna Handlowa - SGH), where courses are taught in English or Polish.

Academic Culture

All CIEE courses are taught in English. Course content is country and region specific. The teaching method tends to be lectures, although most professors welcome discussion. CIEE courses generally meet twice a week for 90 minutes. CIEE students are registered at SGH as full time students and are granted SGH student IDs.

The CIEE program calendar follows that of the U.S. higher education system, with the fall semester running from late August to mid-December, and the spring semester from late January to mid-May. However, the academic calendar for the Warsaw School of Economics consists of a fall semester from late September to late January, and a spring semester from mid-February to late May or early June. CIEE students who directly enroll in SGH courses may request permission for early exams prior to the winter holiday break (fall semester) or summer break (spring semester), although CIEE does not guarantee approval of such requests.

Nature of Classes

CIEE courses are primarily taken by CIEE students, although Polish or other international students occasionally participate. Participants who enroll in courses at the Community of European Management Schools or Warsaw School of Economics take classes with CIEE, Polish, and other international students.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

As study abroad students gain proficiency in Polish, resident staff encourages them to use their language skills in everyday settings. The more students participate, the more a community that contributes to Polish language proficiency and understanding of Polish society develops.

Grading System

Grades are assigned using the Polish grading scale of 2–5.5 (with 5.5 being the highest possible grade) and converted to U.S. letter grade equivalents. Plus grades (i.e. 3+, 4+, etc.) are also assigned, but there are no minus grades awarded. Most courses have at least two means of assessment, usually a mid-term and final exam or paper. However, depending on the course, additional assignments such as a research paper or a class presentation may also be required. Attendance and class participation are also incorporated into the final grade for all courses.

Language of Instruction

English
Polish

Faculty

Courses are taught by faculty members of the Warsaw School of Economics, as well as from a number of other Polish institutions of higher education, which may include the University of Warsaw, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and universities in Kraków.

Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

All Courses

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.

CIEE Study Center Syllabi

To view the most recent syllabi for courses taught by CIEE at our Study Centers, visit our syllabi site.

Required CIEE Language Courses

POLE 1001 WRSW

Beginning Polish
This course introduces the phonetics, basic grammar, and practical vocabulary of the Polish language. It allows students to learn the Polish language so that they may communicate in their daily life while in Warsaw. Contact hours: 80. Recommended credit: 4 semester / 6 quarter hours.

CIEE Area Studies Courses

HIST 3001 WRSW

Jews in Poland and the Holocaust
This course introduces students to the history of Polish Jewry. It also presents Polish-Jewish relations before World War II in the broader context of the national minority question in Central Europe. The Holocaust and reactions to it, as well as its post-war interpretations, are also examined. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester / 4.5 quarter hours.

HIST 3002 WRSW

History of Central Europe, 1871 to Present
The topics of study include defining Central Europe; foreign rule over the region; societies and economies prior to World War I; the effects of the World Wars on the region; inter-war political developments; Communist rule and its demise; political leaders in the region; and recent Central European history (1990–2000). Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester / 4.5 quarter hours.

LITT 3001 WRSW

The Search for Self: Identity in Post-War Polish Literature
This course examines the quest for self-identity in its existential, national, and political aspects, as reflected in Polish post-War literature. The course probes the motivation of those writers who sided with the Communist regime, as well as those who rejected any form of collaboration, often at the price of silence. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester / 4.5 quarter hours.

POLI 3001 WRSW

The Dynamics of Breakthrough in Central Europe
This course covers the revolution in Poland, from the early days of Solidarity through martial law, to the eventual eclipse by democratic forces in Poland of the old Communist regime. It explores these events from both sociological and political science perspectives. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester / 4.5 quarter hours.

SOCI 3001 WRSW

Polish Society and Politics
This course looks at the impact of the Communist regime’s collapse in 1989. Discussions include the social and demographic structure of Polish society, the history and effects of the Solidarity Movement, and the changes in Polish politics and society since 1989. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester / 4.5 quarter hours.

SOCI 3002 WRSW

Social Issues in Contemporary Poland
This course examines the current structure of Polish society by looking at economic and social stratification, relations between Poles and other nationalities, examples of Polish nationalism in legend and in reality, religious life, the younger generation’s role, and the Communist Party’s attempt to create a society without classes. Contact hours: 45. Recommended credit: 3 semester / 4.5 quarter hours.

Warsaw School of Economics (WSE) Courses

Below is a partial list of WSE courses taught in English. A complete list of subjects will be available to students upon acceptance. The complete and updated list of WSE courses for each semester is available on the WSE.

Contemporary Europe: Culture, Languages, and Tradition
Creativity in Advertising
Cross-Cultural Management
The Current Economic, Legislative, and Political Developments in the European Union
Economics of Crises
The Ethics in Economy (Business Ethics)
EU Membership and Transformation in Central and East Europe
The Euro: Costs and Benefits of European Monetary Integration
European Union Adjustment to Globalization
Globalization, Regionalization, and Competitiveness
International Economics
International Finance
International Political Relations
International Political Relations
Introductory Econometrics
Making Polish Foreign Policy
Marketing
Mathematical Methods and Models in Economic Dynamics
Political Ideologies
Political Management
Public Administration in the European Union
Public Relations
Social Problems in Contemporary Poland
Terrorism and Economic Aspects of Terrorism

This is a sample list of WSE courses. A final list will be available upon arrival in Warsaw.

Community of European Management Schools CoursesEnglish-language taught business courses are also available for students at the advanced level of business studies at the Warsaw School of Economics through the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS). Although these courses are taught primarily at the graduate level, they are open to advanced undergraduates. A final list of available CEMS courses is available to participants upon acceptance. Enrollment in these courses requires the prior approval of WSE Dean of Graduate School and students’ sending institutions before departure from the U.S. Courses available through CEMS may include:

Business-Government Relations in the European Context I and II
Competitive Advantage through Technology
CRM and CRM Strategies
EU Economic Policies
Global Business Strategy in the European Context
International Corporate Financial Management
International Financial Markets
International Marketing International Logistics
Network Economy and Company Management
Organizational Behavior and Organizational Design
Service Quality in the New Economy